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Media, poll, to be focus in Canberra

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's "take-it-or-leave-it" push for his media reforms will dominate the last sitting week before May's budget, with crossbenchers unlikely to back the package of changes.

Senator Conroy has demanded federal parliament pass the six media bills, which include establishing a new public interest media advocate to oversee press standards and a check on big media mergers and acquisitions.

Independents Rob Oakeshott and Craig Thomson have already indicated they won't vote for the package as it stands, while the Greens, whose vote would be crucial in the Senate, say they will consult with other crossbenchers to determine if there is any "common ground" on the changes.

To add to the focus on the media reforms, two parliamentary inquiries will on Monday hear evidence about the proposed changes.

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A Senate committee looking at the bills and will take evidence from media companies, academics, peak industry bodies and the Australian Press Council in Canberra on Monday and Tuesday.

A separate joint select committee is looking at other proposed reforms, including the axing of the 75 per cent broadcasting audience reach rule.

Senator Conroy said he wouldn't negotiate with crossbenchers over the proposed changes.

"You either want to protect media diversity in this country... or you don't," he told ABC TV on Sunday.

Opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull said Senator Conroy's handling of the reforms had been "catastrophic".

"Is he seeking to embarrass the prime minister?" he asked on Sky TV.

The fight over media reforms has sparked renewed speculation over Julia Gillard's leadership, which will only be heightened by the release of another Nielsen poll on Monday.

The last Nielsen poll saw Labor's primary vote plummet to 30 per cent, and its two-party vote to 45 per cent.

Last week's Newspoll saw the government bounce back slightly, with its primary vote rising to 34 per cent and two-party vote to 48 per cent.

But supporters of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd are reportedly agitating for a leadership change this week, and another bad poll and a failure on media reforms could provide the triggers.

Apart from the media bills, the House of Representatives will debate changes to the aged care sector, including new funding for home care and $1.2 billion to deliver better wages and conditions for Australia's 350,000 aged care workers.

Legislation to scrap a rebate on a lifetime health cover loading for private health insurance will also be considered by MPs.